Interactive management of storefront purchases

ABSTRACT

Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, includes a media server configured to transfer storefront interface data to a client device, where the storefront interface data enables a graphical storefront interface to be displayed on the client device. The system further includes a profile database maintaining profile records of users of the graphical storefront interface. At least one profile record comprises a profile for an administrator of an interactive management service, where the administrator authorizes other users to participate in the service including the first user. Further, the administrator sets parameters maintained in the profile database that limit which items are displayed to the first user and offered for sale by the media server to the first user. Also, payment for items purchased by the first user are charged to the administrator. Other systems and methods are also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to electronic communicationsand, more particularly, is related to interactive media.

BACKGROUND

Almost every home has a television today. With the advent of cable andsatellite programming, a wide variety of channels are available ontoday's television sets. Further, today's technology allows medianetwork operators to offer such services as home shopping, games, andmovies on demand.

Generally, the downstream bandwidth from a content provider to acustomer in television communications is large while upstream bandwidthis significantly less. Newer technologies and innovations have allowedthe upstream bandwidth to become wider, thereby allowing for increasedinteractivity between the customer and a service provider.

In spite of the new advances, a television, like other appliances andmedia tools, has still remained more of a static-type of appliance thatdisplays information, rather than a dynamic and interactive householdtool that facilitates integral tasks within a household.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods forfor interactive management of storefront purchases. Briefly described,one embodiment of the system, among others, includes a media serverconfigured to transfer storefront interface data to a client device,where the storefront interface data enables a graphical storefrontinterface to be displayed on the client device. The graphical storefrontinterface enables a first user to communicate with the media server forthe purpose of browsing graphical descriptions of items that are offeredfor sale. The graphical storefront interface further enables the firstuser to make purchases of offered items. The system further includes aprofile database maintaining profile records of users of the graphicalstorefront interface. At least one profile record comprises a profilefor an administrator of an interactive management service, where theadministrator authorizes other users to participate in the serviceincluding the first user. Further, the administrator sets parametersmaintained in the profile database that limit which items are displayedto the first user and offered for sale by the media server to the firstuser. Also, payment for items purchased by the first user are charged tothe administrator.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be viewed as providingmethods for interactive management of storefront purchases. In thisregard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadlysummarized by the following steps: comprising the steps of: displaying avirtual storefront guide, the virtual storefront guide enabling a firstuser to browse graphical descriptions of items that are offered forsale, the virtual storefront guide further enabled to allow the firstuser to make purchases of offered items; limiting which items aredisplayed to the first user and offered for sale on the virtualstorefront guide in accordance with parameters defined by anadministrator, the administrator authorizing the first user toparticipate in activities of the virtual storefront guide; and chargingpayment of purchases made by the first user to the administrator.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description and be within the scopeof the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an interactive managementsystem in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of a virtual storefront guide beingdisplayed on a television set, such as that shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-19 are diagrams of embodiments of interfaces to a virtualstorefront guide, such as that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart describing one embodiment of a method forinteractive purchasing within a system, such as that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating components of one embodiment ofa set-top client device, such as that shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 22-23 are flowchart diagrams describing embodiments of methods forfor interactive management of storefront purchases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of an interactive management system is shown in FIG. 1.The interactive management system 100 includes a media server 110. Themedia server 110 is connected to a client device 160 of a user via acommunications network 120. The media server 110 is network equipmentthat provides the storage for media program material (e.g., video, webpages, etc.), which can be requested by a user. In a cablecommunications environment, the media server 110 may comprises a videoserver that performs many functions, such as admission control, requesthandling, data retrieval, guaranteed stream transmission, streamencryption, and support of functions such as pause, rewind, and fastforward. In a web environment, the media server may comprise a webserver that provides Internet content.

A communication network 120 connects the media server 110 and theequipment at a customer's premise (e.g., set-top device, personalcomputer, etc.). In some embodiments, the interactive management system100 involves the transfer of large volumes of data at very high speed.Also, in some embodiments, a user may utilize more than onecommunication network 120 to access the media server 110. For example, auser could connect with the media server 110 utilizing the Internet toregister for an interactive management service and establish profiles ofauthorized users that are maintained in database 115. Then, anauthorized user could access available services of the interactivemanagement service over a cable television network.

An Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) system 130 is anasymmetrical bi-directional transmission system used as the localsubscriber loop between the local telephone switch and the subscriber'shome, thus allowing the economical transmission of broadband serviceswithout signal regenerators. In combination with the telephone signals,which may be analogue or digital (ISDN), control (e.g., 16 and 24kbit/s) and video (e.g., 2 to 6 Mbit/s) information channel may betransmitted downstream towards the user. In the upstream direction thereare at least telephone and control channels. In some embodiments, thecommunication network 120 may utilize an ADSL system 130 to provideInternet-based services to a customer's premises.

A cable TV (CATV) distribution system 140 is based on a tree-and-branchtopology in some embodiments and on a star topology in some others. Theaudio and video signals are transmitted via coaxial cables in thesubscriber line area. The trunk lines are usually made by fiber. Due tothe high bandwidth, it has many channels available, which aremultiplexed onto the cable using Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM).Channel transmission on the cable is primarily unidirectional. Signalsare inserted on the downstream channels by a head-end.

Signals from customer sites are allowed on upstream channels and theyare transmitted towards the head-end. Also, there is provision forupstream message transmission. In some embodiments, the communicationnetwork 120 may utilize a CATV distribution system 140 to provideInternet-based services to a customer's premises.

A cable head-end is the facility at a cable TV center that originatesand communicates cable TV services and cable modem services tosubscribers. In distributing cable television services, the head-endincludes a satellite dish antenna for receiving incoming programming.When a cable company provides Internet access to subscribers, thehead-end includes the computer system and databases needed to provideInternet access.

A switching office 150 includes both the telephone company's centraloffice and the cable company's head-end. It is the place where servicesare fed and distributed to individual subscribers. It contains thehead-end, switches, and media servers 110. In the head-end equipment,the video streams are formatted and organized for transmission in thecommunication network. If ADSL 130 is used, the switching office 150switches the video streams onto the subscriber loops with telephonecalls.

A user interacts with the services by a client device 160, such as aset-top unit or a personal computer. In one embodiment, for a set-topunit 162, information is displayed to a user using a television display170, while in the case of a computer 180, information is displayed to auser using a computer monitor 190.

A user may be connected to a media server 110 and browse through aselection of content or services. In one embodiment, the connection isover a cable television network. In another embodiment, the connectionis over the Internet. Other embodiments may employ different mediums.

One method for transmitting video is the digital video broadcasting(DVB) protocol or standard. Alternatively, an increasingly popularmethod of transmitting digital video is IP Television (TV) because ofthe numerous advantages it provides for network providers to offer videoservices more efficiently in certain cases. For example, IPTV is suitedfor programs intended for use by only one subscriber, because a minimumamount of the network is tied up to serve that need. Therefore, thenumber of channels that can be carried to subscribers can besignificantly higher when compared to traditional video delivery systemsand depending on the transmission capacity of the network and how muchof that capacity is devoted to IPTV. Finally, the same data transmissioncapacity of a network can be used for all other data traffic.

In an embodiment employing Internet Protocol Television, the interactivemanagement system delivers digital television service to users using theInternet Protocol over a broadband connection through technologies usedfor the World Wide Web. IP video signals can be received by customerpremise equipment as IP multicast streams delivered from the network. Toavoid sending all channel signals simultaneously, each video channel canuse a specific IP multicast identification and the customer premiseequipment can signal to the network which channel the user is currentlyviewing or requesting. The signaling information can be carried usingInternet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). Therefore, when a userchanges the channel, the customer premise equipment can transmit an IGMP“join” message to the network for the new channel, and it can send anIGMP “leave” message for the original channel. The signaling informationfor the current channel can be transmitted to an IP-enabled set-top box162 which relays the signal to a television set 170 or to a personalcomputer 180.

In one embodiment, the interactive management system 100 furtherincludes one or more vendor clients 195. Via the vendor clients 195, aparticipating vendor or partner in the interactive management system 100communicates with the media server 110 to program content that isdistributed the users of the system. For example, in one embodiment, avendor may be a participating restaurant that offers menu choices thatare available for sale and may be displayed on a client device 160 ofthe user. A user may select items to purchase and the selections may berelayed to the vendor client device. Also, item selections or purchasesmay be tracked by the interactive management service so that appropriatebillings may be made via credit card transactions or on monthly billingstatements.

A wireless communication network 196 is coupled to the communicationsnetwork 120 of the interactive management system 100. Accordingly,messages may be communicated from the communications network 120 to thewireless network 196 and a wireless device 198 of a user. For example,in one embodiment, a user of the interactive management system 100 mayneed authorization from another user administering the service, such asa parent (administrative user or administrator), before a purchase isallowed over a television set 170 of the user. Therefore, a message,such as a short message service type of message, may be communicatedfrom the media server 110 to the wireless device 198 of the parentrequesting authorization for the purchase. These and other details arefurther described in the example scenarios below.

For example, consider a scenario where an eight year-old child comeshome from school. Both his parents are working and are not currently athome. The child desires a meal. He turns on the family's television set170 with the remote control unit for a set-top box 162 connected to thetelevision set 170 and a CATV network 140. The child presses a “Menu”button on the remote control unit that launches a virtual storefrontguide 200 which is displayed on the bottom of the television set 170, asshown in FIG. 2. The child navigates the virtual storefront guide usingarrow buttons on the remote control. For example, left and right arrowbuttons can be used to navigate among the selectable channel “guide”210, digital video recorder (DVR) 220, virtual “fridge” 230, and “mediacloset” 240 links or icons. In this scenario, the child highlights andselects the virtual fridge option 230.

This causes a prompt to be displayed for the user to enter his or herusercode. For example, a user profile associated with the user maintainsa unique usercode associated with the user. By entering the correctusercode, the interactive management service can identify the user andcan then apply rules that have been set for the user by anadministrative user that established the interactive management service.

For example, in the present scenario, the user (“John”) enters the code15933, as shown in FIG. 3. After providing the usercode, the informationis sent to the media server 110, and the media server 110 eitherrecognizes the usercode as being that of an authorized user or not. Ifthe user is authorized, the media server acknowledges the user with agreeting, such as “Welcome John,” that is displayed on the user's clientdevice 160. Also, the identified user is presented with current settingsor restrictions 410 being imposed during his or her use of the “virtualfridge,” as represented in FIG. 4.

The virtual fridge service is a food-ordering service that isfacilitated by the interactive management service. Authorized users cannot only purchase prepared food items using the interactive managementservice, but users who have administrative privileges can establishrules for other authorized users (or themselves) as to what items may bepurchased, when these items may be purchased, how much purchasing powera user is provided, how many items may be purchased, how a user canreceive approval to purchase items or amounts that have not beenpreviously approved by the administrative user, whether promotionalmaterial or advertisements are welcomed, etc. Further, such criteria maybe customized for different users or set as blanket rules. In the priorexamples and the examples that follow, a “virtual fridge” implementationis described. However, the concepts disclosed herein can be extended toother purchasing approaches and items, some of which are expresslydisclosed herein.

Referring back to the previous scenario, John is an authorized user ofthe interactive management service. However, John is not theadministrative user who established the service. His mother is, andJohn's mother has set rules regarding John's use of the virtual fridgethat are maintained in profile information.

For example, each of the authorized users may have a profile that ismaintained by the interactive management service. In the profile,settings, rules, and biographical information may be maintained thatallow the interactive management service to know how to invoke theinteractive management service to carry out requested services. Forexample, the address of a user is maintained in his or her profile sothat a participating vendor may be provided this information when thevendor is requested to deliver a purchased item to the user.

In the present case, John's mother has allocated a daily budget of $20for John to spend on a meal. In this way, John's mother haspre-authorized John to spend $20 so that John does not spend more themother desires. Further, John's mother may also pre-approve from whichvendors John is able to select menu items. For example, John may beallergic to some types of seafood (although he still loves the taste).Therefore, John is not authorized to shop from “SeaFood Express.” WhenJohn views the list of participating vendors, unauthorized vendors maybe hidden from his view and not displayed. In some embodiments, limits410 placed on the user may be displayed to the user, as shown in FIG. 4.

In the present scenario, John's mother has established a pre-approvedset of items that John is allowed to order without any parentintervention. Similarly, John's mother may build a pre-approved set ofitems for John's sister, Julie. Accordingly, when Julie identifiesherself as an authorized user, the media server 110 will present itemsand information that conforms to requirements established by her mother.For example, Julie's mother authorizes Julie to order pizza once a weekin the set of rules established for Julie. However, if Julie orderedpizza yesterday, then the interactive management service may informJulie that she is unable to purchase pizza, as shown by pointer 510 inFIG. 5. Further discussion regarding profile information is included inlater passages, including the portion accompanying FIG. 6.

John and Julie's mother (“Betty”) can set which menu items areavailable, quantity limits, number of days allowed to select item, timeof day allowed to select item, individual price limits, etc. for theusers that she has authorized to utilize the interactive managementservice. To facilitate this scenario, Betty is registered as anadministrative user. Accordingly, Betty has a profile that is created bythe interactive management service and stored in a database 115. Betty'sprofile may also list other users that are authorized to use theservice, such as Julie and John, in some embodiments (as shown in FIG.6). As an administrative user, Betty can set rules and settings on otherusers. In the above example, Betty has established what menu items areavailable to be selected by Julie and John.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a guide of the interactive managementservice for setting up profile information. In the example shown, anadministrative user may access the guide over a computer 180 and selectcheckboxes of items that are preferred by the user by positioning acursor over the item and using a mouse control to select the appropriatecheckbox. The profile information of Betty (the administrative user)indicates a method of payment. In the present example, purchases madethrough the service may be automatically charged to a credit card ofBetty that is stored in the service's records, as shown by pointer 610.In some embodiments, Betty may have the option of choosing to haveservice charges billed on a monthly statement that is provided to her,such as her monthly cable bill. In this way, items purchased by John andJulie are automatically billed on behalf of Betty or whomever hasauthorized for payment.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, other profile information indicates thatJulie and John are listed as authorized users under Betty's interactivemanagement service (see pointer 620). The last usage of the serviceoccurred on Wednesday, June 3^(rd) at 2:45 p.m. (see pointer 630). Theaddress or path to send requests for authorizations of purchases is atthe telephone number 555-123-3333 (see pointer 640), budgetary valuesshould be refreshed on a weekly basis for authorized users (see pointer650), and promotions are allowed to be received by authorized users (seepointer 655). To modify a current setting, an Edit link is provided nextto each setting that is able to be changed. Also, links are provided forlaunching an interface to specify limits for Julie and John (see pointer660).

For example, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of an interface for specifyingpurchasing limits for John for the virtual fridge service. Accordingly,Betty may click on checkboxes next to items that she authorizes orapproves John to browse and purchase items from. In the example shown,Betty authorizes John to shop from Pizza Barn and Chinese Takeoutvendors (see pointer 710). Also, in the example shown, Betty hasspecified a maximum monetary limit of $15 for a food order by John (seepointer 720) and John can only order one meal in each order (see pointer730). Further, Betty has specified that John is only able to makepurchases on Monday and Tuesday of each week (see pointer 740). Also,Betty has not activated automatic ordering (see pointer 750). Therefore,if John does not place an order, an order will not automatically beplaced for him on Monday and/or Tuesday.

FIG. 8 shows additional options that may be customized by theadministrative user, in one embodiment. For example, an administrativeuser may choose which items offered for sale by a vendor is available topurchased by an authorized user. In the example shown, Betty is choosingwhich menu items from Pizza Barn should be made available to John whenhe browses the offerings of Pizza Barn using the virtual fridgeinterface. Here, Betty has approved John to possibly purchase anassortment of child size pizzas, dinner salad, breadsticks, small orderof wings, and lemonade and water beverages (see pointer 810). The itemsnot checked by Betty will not be presented to John when he browses theofferings of Pizza Barn, in some embodiments. While the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 6-8 utilize a web-based environment to accessprofile information, some embodiments access profile information overother communication platforms, such as that involving the set-top unitor box 162.

In addition to tailoring what options are available to a user, anadministrative user may set a time frame for when the virtual fridgeservice is active and available to a user in some embodiments. Forexample, a dinner food menu may be available between 6-8 P.M., etc.and/or an administrative user may configure the availability of thedinner food menu to vary by day of the week for a user.

Also, in some embodiments, an administrative user is able toautomatically add items to an order based no established rules. Forexample, a user may designate items or amounts that can be added to anorder by selecting a “Add Favorites” option, for example, where certainitems or amounts have been designated as being favorites by theadministrative user. Alternatively, or in addition to, rules may be setup by the administrative user such that a six pack of soda always comeswith the first order placed for the week, or if a pizza is ordered on aFriday, then a half gallon of ice cream is automatically ordered alongwith an order for a video rental.

In summarizing some of the events that have transpired in the presentscenario, John has turned on the television set 170, selected thevirtual fridge icon on a virtual storefront guide, and sees the limitsimposed by Betty. Certain selected vendors or companies may be shownalong with what is allowed to be purchased from the companies, as shownin FIG. 4. John selects Pizza Barn 410 by scrolling through theavailable options using the arrow keys of the remote control to theset-top unit 162. In a next screen, as shown in FIG. 9, menu items forPizza Barn are shown that have been pre-approved by Betty. As Johnselects menu items, such as a child's cheese pizza, by scrolling throughthe items using the arrow keys of his remote control unit and pressing a“select” key on the remote control unit, the remaining money left in hisdaily budget is visually updated on the screen, so that John knows howmuch money he has left to spend (see pointer 910). After John finisheschoosing items for his meal, John can submit his order for processing byselecting the Submit option 920. The order is forwarded to a vendorclient 195, such as a computer at Pizza Barn's retail establishment sothat it may be received and processed.

In some embodiments, it may be that John and Julie are able to viewspecial offers or promotions by activating a link 1010 or icon on thevirtual fridge interface, as shown in FIG. 10. For example, Pizza Barnmay have a special of 3 child pizzas for $10.00. However, John is onlyauthorized to purchase one child's pizza according to parameters set upby Betty.

To purchase an item, quantity, price, etc. that has not beenpre-approved, a user, such as John, can submit a request forauthorization to the administrative user or whomever the administrativeuser has assigned to answer the request, in some embodiments. Therefore,John may select the request authorization option 1110 using the arrowkeys of his remote control and pressing a select button, as representedin FIG. 11.

The authorizing user is then sent a message to an address or path of awireless device 198 (such as a personal digital assistant) identified inthe profile record (of FIG. 6, see pointer 640) over the wirelessnetwork 196. For example, a short message service (SMS) message may besent asking the recipient to reply with a yes or a no to a request toauthorize purchase of the 3 child pizzas, as shown in FIG. 12.

Previously, it was mentioned that some embodiments hide from view itemsthat are not approved for purchasing by a current user. However, in someother embodiments, an authorized user is allowed to view items that havenot been pre-approved by the administrative user. For example, FIG. 13shows an interface display of menu items with an option 1310 at thebottom of the screen to view non-approved items. By selecting the option1310, menu items from the participating vendor are shown that have notbeen pre-approved by the administrative user, as shown in FIG. 14. Byspecifying a quantity for one of the items and selecting the RequestApproval link 1410, a request is sent to the administrative user on to adesignated address or path contained in the administrative user'sprofile, as described with regard to FIG. 12. Also, if the currentuser's order exceeds a limit being imposed on the user, the user will benotified of the situation, as shown in FIG. 15, and may be provided theoption 1510 of requesting the administrative user to authorize thetransaction.

When a reply is received by the interactive management service inresponse to the authorization request, the status of the order will beupdated and relayed to the user whenever the user accesses theinteractive management service. For example, if the request is approved,then the items will be placed in John's order and the amount ofavailable money he has left to spend will be updated. If the request isnot approved, then the items will not be placed in John's order and Johnwill be able to select additional items.

In some embodiments, an authorized user may select in advance what itemshe or she would like to receive at a later date. Therefore, a user couldselect in advance menu items for next week or next month, for example.In some embodiments, this is a feature that may require activation bythe administrative user.

In accordance with the above scenario, the interactive managementservice may display a reminder 1610 on a television screen or computerscreen if a user has neglected to place an order for a scheduled mealand a connection is established with the media server 110, asrepresented in FIG. 16. In this way, the interactive management servicecan help manage items of interest for the user. Likewise, a display maybe shown to remind the user of what purchased items are scheduled to bedelivered to the user.

Also, in some embodiments, the media server 110 may push alerts to auser via the set-top box 162 or a cell phone to prompt the user that itis meal time and the user needs to place an order. Further, in anembodiment, where an alert appears on a television screen, icons mayalso be displayed to allow for quick navigation to the portion of thestorefront guide interface that allows for ordering of the item that isthe subject of the alert (e.g., virtual fridge).

Advantageously, an administrative user, such as a parent, may arrangefor a variety of budgetary methods to be used during utilization of theinteractive management service by the users authorized to access theinteractive management service. For example, the administrative user maylimit another user's spending in accordance with a weekly amount. Forexample, in the above scenario, John may be limited to spending a $100per week on meals and it is up to John to determine how that money isspent. Therefore, if John only has $5 left on the last day of thecurrent week, than John has likely learned a lesson in budgetaryspending and responsibility. Accordingly, an administrative user may setbudgetary limits that provide degrees of discretionary ornondiscretionary control (e.g., $100/week versus $10/day). Further, insome embodiments, a hybrid plan may be employed where a user is provideda daily amount for certain items (some discretionary control), such asmain course items and a weekly amount for other items (morediscretionary control), such as dessert items. In this way, a user maybe able to spend $8/week on dessert items, such as ice cream or candy.

In some embodiments, users may register themselves or other users withcertain meal plans. In this way, participating vendors can targetpackages fitting the plan of the user. For example, if a user is in akid's meal plan, then meals targeted toward “kids” are offered byparticipating vendors. Likewise, if a user is in a “diet plan,” thenlow-calorie meals may be targeted to the user. Also, if a user is in a“budget plan” then low-priced meals may be targeted to the user. One ofthe benefits for a vendor is that they can market meals (or items ingeneral) to users that have been pre-approved to spend a set budget.

In this way, an administrative user, such as a parent, can set controlson what items may be purchased, on what limits on purchase amounts areimposed, and on what payment methods are allowed or instituted.Authorized users act as proxies for the administrative user in makingpurchases on the behalf of the administrative user, and theadministrative user institutes control measures on what purchases he orshe allows to be made. Likewise, the administrative user may elect toplace controls and limits on items that are selected to be purchased bythe administrative user himself or herself. Also, in accordance withsubscribing to plans of services, an authorized user may upgrade to aplan that allows for additional services or an increased limit on whatservices are available or downgrade to a plan that has reduced servicesor a reduced limit on what services are available.

Referring back to the scenario with John coming home and his parentsaway at work, Betty may arrange for a meal to be automatically orderedif John neglects to select his meal for the day, in some embodiments. Aspreviously mentioned, this information may be maintained in a profilefor John. Therefore, rules may be specified that indicate if John hasnot provided a menu selection by 5 p.m., the interactive menu serviceshould automatically select a meal for John from one of the availablepre-approved menu items, in one embodiment. Alternatively, Betty mayspecify a default menu item, such as a hamburger (John's favorite food),that is to be automatically ordered.

Also, an authorized user's pre-approved payment limit or quantities maybe automatically set to be refreshed on a periodic basis (e.g., everyweek, month) or may be set to be refreshed manually. For example, at theend of a week, John may be out of money in his budget that allocated byhis mother for use on the virtual fridge. Betty, as administrative user,may specify in John's profile that the budget should be “refreshed”automatically, such that at the beginning of the next week, the budgetis returned to its initial value. Alternatively, Betty may specify thatthe budget amount should be refreshed or modified manually, since shemay not want John to regularly make meal purchases using the interactivemanagement service.

In some embodiments, participating vendors may track which of theiritems are being ordered by users and then present special packages oroffers to users that fit the criteria of a user's current limits,budgets, or plans and ordering trends. Additionally, if a televisionadvertisement for a participating vendor is being shown on thetelevision set 170 for Pizza Barn, a message 1710 may also be displayedon the screen indicating that Pizza Barn is a featured vendor in theuser's virtual fridge, as represented in FIG. 17. In embodiments where auser accesses the virtual storefront guide using a web browser, insteadof television commercials or advertisements, Internet advertisements maycause a message to be displayed prompting a user to visit the storefrontto view items of a vendor that is also the subject of an Internetadvertisement.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to only having avirtual fridge and related items being offered by the interactivemanagement service. For example, a “virtual storefront” of items,services, and vendors may be available for browsing and purchasing, asrepresented in FIG. 2. In a similar manner as a meal may be purchased bya user, a user may also browse for videos to rent or purchase, music torent or purchase, games to rent or purchase, shop for tickets to movies,concerts, and other items of interest, which are depicted as being partof the “Media Closet” 240 of the virtual storefront 200 interface orguide. Accordingly, an administrative user may specify in a profile ofauthorized users, limits or criteria on which items may be purchases andon what amount may be spend on these items. Accordingly, certaincategories of items (e.g., music versus meals) may have different rulesor limits specified. Also, depending on the type of item, certain limitsmay be applicable across item type or category or may be applicable to aparticular item type or category. For example, limits for music may beselected based on music genre (e.g., rap, rock, pop, etc.) and contentratings (e.g., contains explicit lyrics, does not contain explicitlyrics) that are not applicable to meal items. Further, a video game maybe able to be purchased, downloaded to a set-top box 162 (or computer180), but not able to be played until the administrative user givesapproval. Approval may then be provided at the set-top box 162 orcomputer 180 where it is to be played or may be remotely provided by awireless device in a similar manner, as previously described with regardto selecting a non-approved item in the virtual fridge scenario andsubsequently receiving approval or authorization for the administrativeuser.

The administrative user may also decide to blanketly or across the boardallow or prohibit promotions or advertisements to be received for eachservice (e.g., meals, music, movies/videos, etc.) offered in the virtualstorefront interface, as denoted by pointer 655 in FIG. 6.

While many of the examples discussed above have been explained in acontext using a television set 170, it is contemplated that theseexamples may also be extended to a context utilizing a computer 180communication via the Internet. For example, a computer 180 maycommunicate with a media server 110 and purchase and receive items, suchas meals, movies/videos, music, etc. that satisfy criteria maintained ina user profile, as described above. It is contemplated that a computer180 may be employed by a user in a similar manner as a set-top unit 162and television set 170, in the examples above, in one or moreembodiments.

Accordingly, FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a virtual storefront guidethat is accessed using a web browser. In this example, John has accesseda video storefront. For the video storefront, John has been pre-approvedto order G-rated movies; videos that have been selected for the agerange of 7-9 years old; and may order one video per day (see pointer1810). Also, John is restricted from viewing video titles that have beenclassified as involving sword and sorcery. Accordingly, FIG. 18 shows aportion of the titles that are available to be viewed by John (seepointer 1820), in accordance with the viewing and purchasing limitsestablished by the administrative user, his mother. FIG. 19 shows acorresponding representation of the virtual storefront guide beingdisplayed on a television set 170, in one embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 20, one embodiment of a method for interactivepurchasing is described. The method or process is illustrated as a setof operations shown as discrete blocks. The process may be implementedin any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.The order in which the operations are described is not to be construedas a limitation. At block 2010, a first user registers for interactivemanagement service and creates an administrative profile. Information inthis profile is used to govern operation of the interactive managementservice, such as approved payment method, identification of authorizedusers, designation of approved use of the service (e.g., authorized daysand time), designation of whether promotions are allowed to be viewed byauthorized users, monetary purchasing limits for authorized users,indication of whether users can request for authorization to purchasenon-approved items or amounts, etc. Accordingly, the first useridentifies or designates a second user as an authorized user of theservice and a profile is created for the second user. For the profile ofthe second user, the first user specifies limits on the items that canbe purchased by the second user, in block 2020.

The second user accesses the interactive management service (2030) andauthenticates (2040) himself or herself as an authorized user. Uponrecognition of the second user, the service imposes the limits specifiedby the first user, as shown in block 2050. Therefore, when the seconduser selects an item being offered for sale on the virtual storefrontand the item is added to the order of the second user, limits for theorder are updated. For example, if the second user is limited topurchasing one item, then this information is met with the addition ofthe item to the order and is displayed to the second user. Accordingly,authorized limits are tracked (2060) by the service and displayed to thesecond user so that the second user knows how he or she stands in regardto complying with these limits. In some embodiments, the second user mayrequest (2065) authorization from the first user for performing anaction that is being prohibited by the prescribed limits. Ifauthorization is granted, then the attempted action is allowed to beperformed. Likewise, if authorization is not granted, the attemptedaction is not allowed to be performed.

In some embodiments, promotional items are presented to the second userthat are in compliance with the prescribed limits. In this way,promotional items may only be delivered to a user if they meet theuser's prescribed limits. This is advantageous to both the user and theadvertiser, since the advertiser is targeting ads to users who arecapable of using the advertisement and the user is being shownadvertisements that the user is able to act upon.

The interactive management service may also provide (2070) for advanceordering by the second user. Accordingly, the second user browses theavailable options and places an order with the interactive managementservice. The interactive management service then provides (2075)reminders of scheduled services to the second user. Also, theinteractive management service may remind (2076) the second user ofunfulfilled scheduled services.

For example, the second user or the first user on behalf of the seconduser may schedule for services to be specified by the second user. Forinstance, the second user may be expected to specify a movie to rent foreach month, as part of a movie rental service. Accordingly, at or nearthe end of a current month, the second user may be reminded that he orshe is expected to specify a movie for rent.

Also in concert with other information being provided by a participatingvendor of the interactive management service, prompts may be presented(2080) to the second user as to items or services that are available forpurchase by the second user as part of the interactive managementservice. Purchased items and services by the second user are billed tothe first user.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in various embodiments, client devices 160 canbe implemented in any number of ways. For example, a client device 160may be implemented as a personal computer, where the personal computer180 is coupled to a monitor 190 for presenting interactive managementservice data received by the client device. Client device 160 may alsobe coupled to receive data over network 120 and render the received datausing associated television 170 and set-top box 162.

In some embodiments, a client device runs a virtual storefront guideapplication that utilizes a data file received from the media server 110to generate a virtual storefront interface, described above.

FIG. 21 illustrates selected components of a set-top client device 2110that is configured to generate a virtual storefront guide or interface.Client device 2110 includes one or more tuners 2120. Tuners 2120 arerepresentative of one or more tuners (e.g., in-band tuners) that tune tovarious broadcast or on-demand channels to receive media content. Tuners2120 are also representative of a tuner (e.g., an out-of-band tuner)that tunes to a channel over which a data file may be received frommedia server 110. Alternatively, tuners 2120 may represent anapplication and/or network connection that enables client device 2110 toreceive data over another type of network over which media content canbe transmitted, such as an IP based network.

Client device 2110 also includes one or more processors 2130 and one ormore memory components. Examples of possible memory components include arandom access memory (RAM) 2140, a disk drive 2150, a mass storagecomponent 2160, and a non-volatile memory 2170 (e.g., ROM, Flash, EPROM,EEPROM, etc.). Alternative implementations of client device 2110 caninclude a range of processing and memory capabilities, and may includemore or fewer types of memory components than those illustrated in FIG.21. For example, full-resource clients can be implemented withsubstantial memory and processing resources, including the disk drive2150 to store content for replay by the viewer (e.g., a client devicethat includes a digital video recorder).

Processor(s) 2130 process various instructions to control the operationof client device 2110 and to communicate with other electronic andcomputing devices.

The memory components (e.g., RAM 2140, disk drive 2150, storage media2160, and non-volatile memory 2170) store various information and/ordata such as media content, interactive management data, configurationinformation for client device 2110, and/or graphical user interfaceinformation.

An operating system 2180 and one or more application programs 2190 maybe stored in non-volatile memory 2170 and executed on processor 2130 toprovide a runtime environment. A runtime environment facilitatesextensibility of client device 2110 by allowing various interfaces to bedefined that, in turn, allow application programs 2190 to interact withclient device 2110. In the illustrated example, a virtual storefrontapplication 2195 is stored in memory 2170 to operate on a received filefrom the interactive management server to generate a virtual storefrontguide.

Client device 2110 also includes a decoder 2115 to decode a broadcastvideo signal, such as an NTSC (National Television Signal Committee),PAL (Phase Alternating Line), SECAM (Séquentiel couleur à mémoire or“Color Sequential with Memory”) or other TV system video signal. Clientdevice 2110 further includes a wireless interface 2125, a networkinterface 2135, a serial and/or parallel interface 2145, and a modem2155. Wireless interface 2125 allows client device 2110 to receive inputcommands and other information from a user-operated input device, suchas from a remote control device or from another infrared, Bluetooth, orsimilar radio frequency (RF) input device.

Network interface 2135 and serial and/or parallel interface 2145 allowclient device 2110 to interact and communicate with other electronic andcomputing devices via various communication links (e.g., media server110 via network 120). Client device 2110 may also include other types ofdata communication interfaces to communicate with other devices. Modem2155 facilitates communication between client device 2110 and otherelectronic and computing devices via a conventional telephone line.

Client device 2110 also includes an audio output 2175 and a video output2185 that provide signals to a television or other display device thatprocesses and/or presents or otherwise renders broadcast or on-demandprograms. Although shown separately, some of the components of clientdevice 2110 may be implemented in an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). Additionally, a system bus (not shown) typicallyconnects the various components within client device 2110. A system buscan be implemented as one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, or a local bus using any of a varietyof bus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can includean Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video ElectronicsStandards Association (VESA) local bus, and a Peripheral ComponentInterconnects (PCI) bus also known as a Mezzanine bus.

General reference is made herein to one or more client devices, such asclient device 2110. As used herein, “client device” means any electronicdevice having data communications, data storage capabilities, and/orfunctions to process signals, such as broadcast signals, received fromany of a number of different sources. In one implementation,functionality of the client device may be distributed such that onedevice, for example a personal computer 180, renders the virtualstorefront guide or interface.

Referring now to FIG. 22, one embodiment of a method for interactivemanagement of storefront purchases is depicted in a flow chart diagram.The flow chart begins with a process of displaying (2210) a virtualstorefront guide—the virtual storefront guide enabling a first user tobrowse graphical descriptions of items that are offered for sale, thevirtual storefront guide further enabled to allow the first user to makepurchases of offered items. The method further includes limiting (2220)which items are displayed to the first user and offered for sale on thevirtual storefront guide in accordance with parameters defined by anadministrator, the administrator authorizing the first user toparticipate in activities of the virtual storefront guide; and charging(2230) payment of purchases made by the first user to the administrator.

Next, in FIG. 23, an embodiment of a method for interactive managementof storefront purchases is described in a flow chart diagram. Here, anadministrative user is enabled (2310) to designate rules on which itemsare allowed to be purchased through an interactive storefront system andon which users are allowed to participate in the system. Accordingly,when a user attempts to participate in the system, the system enforces(2320) the rules set by the administrative user. The method furtherincludes the step of charging (2330) the administrative user for anypurchases made using the system that are in accordance with the rulesestablished by the administrative user.

As previously discussed, embodiments of the present disclosure can beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.System components may be implemented in software or firmware that isstored in a memory and that is executed by a suitable instructionexecution system. If implemented in hardware, components can beimplemented with any or a combination of the following technologies,which are all well known in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) havinglogic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriatecombinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), etc.

If implemented in software, instructions for implementing logicalfunctions, can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by orin connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, orother system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. Inthe context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be anymeans that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the program foruse by or in connection with the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be, for examplebut not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specificexamples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium wouldinclude the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having oneor more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random accessmemory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory)(electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact discread-only memory (CDROM) (optical). In addition, the scope of thepresent disclosure includes embodying the functionality of theembodiments of the present disclosure in logic embodied in hardware orsoftware-configured mediums.

Any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understoodas representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include oneor more executable instructions for implementing specific logicalfunctions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations areincluded within the scope of the preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure in which functions may be executed out of order from thatshown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverseorder, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understoodby those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments could include, but do not require, certain features,elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generallyintended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any wayrequired for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodimentsnecessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input orprompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included orare to be performed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations,merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of thedisclosure. Many variations and modifications maybe made to theabove-described embodiments without departing substantially from thespirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modificationsand variations are intended to be included herein within the scope ofthis disclosure.

1. A system for interactive management of storefront purchases,comprising: a media server configured to transfer storefront interfacedata to a client device, the storefront interface data enabling agraphical storefront interface to be displayed on the client device, thegraphical storefront interface enabling a first user to communicate withthe media server for the purpose of browsing graphical descriptions ofitems that are offered for sale, the graphical storefront interfacefurther enabled to allow the first user to make purchases of offereditems; and a profile database maintaining profile records of users ofthe graphical storefront interface, at least one profile recordcomprising a profile for an administrative user of an interactivemanagement service, the administrative user authorized to browse andpurchase items from the interactive management service, theadministrative user also authorizing other users to participate in theinteractive management service including the first user, the profiledatabase comprising: parameters set by the administrative user thatlimit which items are displayed to the first user and offered for saleby the media server to the first user, payment information, and favoriteitems of the administrative user's that are automatically added to anyorder of the first user; the media server receiving an order from thefirst user to purchase an item offered for sale on the virtualstorefront guide; the media server automatically adding theadministrative user's favorite items to the first user's order; and themedia server accessing the payment information such that theadministrative user's favorite items and the first user's order arecharged to the administrative user.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe profile of the administrative user maintains an address where theadministrative user may be contacted to authorize a purchase of an itemthat has not been pre-approved by the administrative user, the mediasewer further configured to receive a request from the first user tocontact the administrative user to ask the administrative user toauthorize the purchase of the item; and send a message to the address ofthe administrative user.
 3. The system of claim 2, the media serverfurther configured to receive a reply from the administrative user. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical storefront interfaceprovides an interface to a meal buying service that offers foodpurchases to users of the graphical storefront interface.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the administrative user sets parameters that limit atotal price of an order that may be made by the first user.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the profile of the administrative usermaintains an address where the administrative user may be contacted toauthorize a purchase of an order with the total price that exceeds alimit previously set by the administrative user.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the media server transmits data over a television network tothe client device, the client device comprising a set-top box to atelevision set.
 8. A method for interactive management of storefrontpurchases, comprising: causing display of a virtual storefront guideenabling a first user to browse graphical descriptions of items offeredfor sale and to make purchases of offered items; storing profile recordsof users of the graphical storefront interface, with at least oneprofile record comprising a profile for an administrative user of aninteractive management service, the administrative user authorized tobrowse and purchase items from the interactive management service, theadministrative user also authorizing other users to participate in theinteractive management service including the first user; retrievingfavorite items of the administrative user's that are automatically addedto any order of the first user; limiting which items are displayed tothe first user and offered for sale on the virtual storefront guide inaccordance with parameters defined by the administrative user, theadministrative user authorizing the first user to participate inactivities of the virtual storefront guide; receiving an order from thefirst user to purchase an item offered for sale on the virtualstorefront guide; automatically adding the administrative user'sfavorite items to the first user's order; and accessing paymentinformation such that the administrative user's favorite items and thefirst user's order are charged to the administrative user.
 9. The methodof claim 8, further comprising: receiving a request from the first userto contact the administrative user and ask the administrative user toauthorize the purchase of an item; and sending a message to the addressof the administrative user prompting the administrative user toauthorize or not authorize the purchase.
 10. The method of claim 8,further comprising: receiving a request from the first user to contactthe administrative user and ask the administrative user to authorize thepurchase of an order at a total price that exceeds a pre-approved limitset by the administrative user; and sending a message to the address ofthe administrative user prompting the administrative user to authorizeor not authorize the purchase.
 11. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising receiving the administrative user's selection of itemsoffered for sale by a vendor that are available for purchase by thefirst user and items offered for sale by the vendor that are notavailable for purchase by the first user.
 12. The method of claim 8,further comprising: providing an interface to a meal buying service thatoffers food purchases to users of the virtual storefront guide; andactivating an automatic ordering feature in which selected items will beautomatically ordered for the first user on a designated day of theweek.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: displaying apromotional offer to the first user that complies with parameters set upby the administrative user on which items may be purchased.
 14. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising displaying the virtual storefrontguide and receiving selection of an option for charging the payment to autility bill.
 15. The method of claim 8, further comprising displaying areminder and prompting the first user that it is meal time and to placean order.
 16. A computer readable medium having a computer program forinteractive management of storefront purchases, the program havinginstructions for performing a method, the method comprising: causingdisplay of a virtual storefront guide enabling a first user to browsegraphical descriptions of items offered for sale and to make purchasesof offered items; storing profile records of users of the graphicalstorefront interface, with at least one profile record comprising aprofile for an administrative user of an interactive management service,the administrative user authorized to browse and purchase items from theinteractive management service, the administrative user also authorizingother users to participate in the interactive management serviceincluding the first user; retrieving favorite items of theadministrative user's that are automatically added to any order of thefirst user; limiting which items are displayed to the first user andoffered for sale on the virtual storefront guide in accordance withparameters defined by the administrative user, the administrative userauthorizing the first user to participate in activities of the virtualstorefront guide; receiving an order from the first user to purchase anitem offered for sale on the virtual storefront guide; automaticallyadding the administrative user's favorite items to the first user'sorder; and accessing payment information such that the administrativeuser's favorite items and the first user's order are charged to theadministrative user.
 17. The computer readable medium of claim 16,further comprising instructions for: receiving a request from the firstuser to contact the administrative user and ask the administrative userto authorize the purchase of an item that has not been pre-approved bythe administrative user; and sending a message to the address of theadministrative user prompting the administrative user to authorize ornot authorize the purchase.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim16, further comprising instructions for: receiving a request from thefirst user to contact the administrative user and ask the administrativeuser to authorize the purchase of an order at a total price that exceedsa pre-approved limit set by the administrative user; and sending amessage to the address of the administrative user prompting theadministrative user to authorize or not authorize the purchase.
 19. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 16, further comprising instructionsfor: causing display a promotional offer to the first user that complieswith parameters set up by the administrative user on which items may bepurchased.
 20. The computer readable medium of claim 16, furthercomprising instructions for charging a payment to a utility bill.